What are the three styles of rolling elements used in bearings?

The three styles of rolling elements commonly used in bearings are ball bearings, roller bearings, and needle bearings. Ball bearings utilize spherical rolling elements that facilitate smooth motion between surfaces, making them ideal for applications requiring low friction and high speeds. Roller bearings, on the other hand, use cylindrical rolling elements that can support heavier loads compared to ball bearings due to their larger surface area in contact with the raceway. Needle bearings, which are essentially a subset of roller bearings, feature slender and elongated cylindrical rollers that allow for compact designs while still providing a substantial load-carrying capacity.

Each of these types has its specific applications and advantages, with ball bearings often found in high-speed machinery due to their lower friction, roller bearings suited for handling heavy radial loads, and needle bearings employed in tight spaces requiring efficient load distribution without the bulk of larger roller bearings. Understanding these rolling element styles is crucial for selecting the right bearing for a given application based on load, speed, and space constraints.